There are many applications for wikis in the business sector. Sitepoint.com (2012) lists the following: File Archives: meeting notes, calendars, and data can be housed within a wiki.
Support: FAQ's (frequently asked questions), "how to's" for software support among others can be a part of a wiki for a business site.
Operations Guide: business processes, organizational hierarchies, the "go to" person can be identified on specific wiki pages within organization.
Collaboration: projects requiring collaboration, multiple editions, editorial comments etc. can be added to a wiki page, with simultaneous notification of everyone involved. Avoidance of email downtime, or confusion regarding the most recent update can be eliminated.
Internal Instruction
One other use was suggested by Hickerson C, & Thompson, S. (2007) suggesting organizations use wikis for internal instruction manuals. For example, if my college created an instruction manual for operating its grade book process, the directions could be listed on the wiki, but actual end users could add hints, shortcuts, or clarification of the instructions that they found useful.
Consumer Feedback
Finally,Hickerson C, & Thompson, S. (2007) discussed the use of wikis as feedback mechanisms. Observing that a traditional webiste does not allow for feedback, the authors suggest a use for wikis that will provide an opportunity for two-way communication with consumers. The authors did note that this would require editions or comments to be screened, but that the feedback elicited may out way the cost of comment screenings.
Healthcare Specific Business Applications:
Resource
Several healthcare consumer and provider suggestions exist. Of note, Paula Yonger (2010) describes the use of wikis as an online health resource for consumers.Not only can consumers access general information about a diagnosis, procedure or diagnostic exam, but users can give their own testimony to these topics, rephrase medical jargon to make more sense to the non-medical consumer, and provide details of personal experiences. The author notes that educating consumers to independently verify the information found on this type of wiki is strongly encouraged, and sites should have well publicized rules, community screening and/or a site host to verify and screen postings. Cultural Sensitivity:
Wikis as well as other online communications, can provide for cultural understanding and sensitive care. Through wikis, nurses from one geographical area can ask questions and seek information from nurses from a different geographical area. Whether this cultural variance is from diverse local groups or truly international, providers may be able to get help with culturally sensitive topics, traditions, diets etc.. (Bain, H.,2012).
Business Applications
There are many applications for wikis in the business sector. Sitepoint.com (2012) lists the following:File Archives: meeting notes, calendars, and data can be housed within a wiki.
Support: FAQ's (frequently asked questions), "how to's" for software support among others can be a part of a wiki for a business site.
Operations Guide: business processes, organizational hierarchies, the "go to" person can be identified on specific wiki pages within organization.
Collaboration: projects requiring collaboration, multiple editions, editorial comments etc. can be added to a wiki page, with simultaneous notification of everyone involved. Avoidance of email downtime, or confusion regarding the most recent update can be eliminated.
Individual Notebooks: users can create their own organizational space to store ideas, data or questions.
http://www.sitepoint.com/use-a-wikiforbusiness/ (2012).
Internal Instruction
One other use was suggested by Hickerson C, & Thompson, S. (2007) suggesting organizations use wikis for internal instruction manuals. For example, if my college created an instruction manual for operating its grade book process, the directions could be listed on the wiki, but actual end users could add hints, shortcuts, or clarification of the instructions that they found useful.
Consumer Feedback
Finally,Hickerson C, & Thompson, S. (2007) discussed the use of wikis as feedback mechanisms. Observing that a traditional webiste does not allow for feedback, the authors suggest a use for wikis that will provide an opportunity for two-way communication with consumers. The authors did note that this would require editions or comments to be screened, but that the feedback elicited may out way the cost of comment screenings.
Healthcare Specific Business Applications:
ResourceSeveral healthcare consumer and provider suggestions exist. Of note, Paula Yonger (2010) describes the use of wikis as an online health resource for consumers.Not only can consumers access general information about a diagnosis, procedure or diagnostic exam, but users can give their own testimony to these topics, rephrase medical jargon to make more sense to the non-medical consumer, and provide details of personal experiences. The author notes that educating consumers to independently verify the information found on this type of wiki is strongly encouraged, and sites should have well publicized rules, community screening and/or a site host to verify and screen postings.
Cultural Sensitivity:
Wikis as well as other online communications, can provide for cultural understanding and sensitive care. Through wikis, nurses from one geographical area can ask questions and seek information from nurses from a different geographical area. Whether this cultural variance is from diverse local groups or truly international, providers may be able to get help with culturally sensitive topics, traditions, diets etc.. (Bain, H.,2012).